Chapter 60

"Good morning, Matilda."

"Good morning, Miss Eliza."

Today, as always, my personal maid is taking care of me with great attention. Matilda, one of the two maids, is an eighteen-year-old woman who looks great with her black hair.

"The weather is so nice today. I can see the flowers in the garden from the window, and it makes me happy."

"I'm glad to hear that."

At first, I desperately pleaded to be let out of this room, insisting that I wasn't Eliza, only to be met with pitying looks.

But after I calmed down, I stopped asking for anything or pleading. I made an effort to be calm, spending my days with a smile and continuing only ordinary, everyday conversations.

I tried to speak and act as much like the Eliza Haines that Mabel had portrayed.

– To convey that I am normal.

"Lunch will feature your favorite fish, Miss Eliza."

"Oh, how wonderful! I'm looking forward to it."

Thanks to my efforts, the conversations, which were initially minimal, have gradually increased.

I really want to ask Matilda to pass a message to my parents or Rufus right away. But I mustn't rush; I keep telling myself it's too early.

"Has something happened outside recently?"

"A hunting festival will be held next week."

"It's that time of the year already."

Perhaps feeling sorry for me being locked up, she has started to tell me a little about what's happening outside.

There are still things I want to ask, but I've talked enough today and should probably end it here.

"Once I finish my meal, I'll call you again."

"Understood."

Tomorrow, I'll bring up topics she likes to increase our conversations and try to reduce her wariness.

With that wish in my heart, I clenched my hands tightly under the table to suppress my impatience.

The next morning, Matilda came again.

"Shall we start with your change of clothes? You have a beautiful dress from Lord Gerald."

"Yes, thank you."

I changed into a dress the same color as Gerald's eyes and moved to the vanity.

"How would you like your hair today?"

"Gerald seems to like it down, so I'll go with a half-up style."

"Hehe, understood."

I pretended to be embarrassed, and she gave me a warm look.

Matilda seems to think of Gerald as the ideal fiancé, and she looks happy when I talk about him. Feeling relieved by her expected reaction, I decided to bring up the next topic.

"Hey, Matilda, do you have a boyfriend?"

"Yes."

"Oh, how wonderful! What's he like?"

From then on, I listened intently to her talk about her boyfriend, nodding along happily.

"He works as a gardener at a certain noble's mansion—"

She was more talkative and seemed to enjoy it, confirming that women her age often enjoy talking about love.

She really wants to get married soon, but they lack the financial means and are both busy with work.

I was able to hear more than I had imagined, and I was certain that she was gradually opening up to me.

If not for this situation, we might have become friends.

"He plans to take me to the hunting festival."

"Really? How wonderful. I'm so envious."

At my words, Matilda looked a bit sad. She must feel sorry for me, who can't leave this room.

"Maybe one day, Lord Gerald will take you."

"Thank you. I'll ask him."

While we were talking, she finished my cute braided half-up hairstyle.

The maids always take great care of my appearance, even though I never leave this room and only see them and Gerald.

"I think this hair accessory will go well with today's dress. Shall I bring it out?"

"Yes, please."

I answered without really understanding, and Matilda took out a key-locked jewelry box from the closet.

It was the first time I had seen it, but the accessories inside were clearly expensive. She took out a hair accessory with a large emerald, and I watched her in the mirror.

"Did I keep important things here?"

"More like expensive things. One of the maids caused a theft incident before."

"I see."

Where did Mabel keep her magical artifacts? From what Tabitha and the others said, she probably didn't trust anyone else and didn't leave them with anyone.